pastel green and overhead lights brighten up marc newson's public toilet in tokyo

The Tokyo Toilet of Marc Newson

Industrial designer Marc Newson needs the design for his public toilet to be trustworthy and sincere from the get-go. A calm and cool interior satisfies his appetite for a seamless and hygienic public-toilet vision, and the designer turns to one of his favorite colors to paint the interior of his project with The Tokyo Toilet.

Pastel green softly bathes the walls of his design to focus on simplicity and comfort which results in a lasting and alluring public space. By using green as his primary, and perhaps his only, color, directions and signs appear clear and visible and the equipment inside the public facility is easier to see. ‘I hope this toilet will be as attractive and convenient as there are many hidden attractions in Shibuya,’ the designer says.

images courtesy of the Nippon Foundation | all photos by Satoshi Nagare

Referencing traditional japanese architecture

Marc Newson looks into the heart of Japanese architecture and culture, and effortlessly decided to fuse his signature vibrant works with the country’s dedication to its traditional roots. To bring this forth for public use, the designer tops the public toilet with a copper ‘Minoko’ roof, a reference to traditional Japanese architecture.

‘Even though the toilet is in a busy and ultra-modern place, I wanted to make this roof shape, which is often found in shrines, temples, tea rooms, and rural areas, subconsciously feel comfortable and peaceful. The patina of the copper pyramidal roof will, over time, allow the building to blend into the city and become part of the fabric of Tokyo,’ he says.

inside the bathroom

In Japan, toilets have become a symbol of hospitality culture, often seen and praised on social media for their cleanliness and advanced technology. Many public toilets have garnered the reputation of being dirty and smelly.

The Tokyo Toilet has stepped in to shift this perspective by tapping renowned designers and architects to create warm, inviting, and hallmark designs that encourage the public not to shy away from using toilets outside of their homes. The Newson-designed toilet is the 14th Urasando public toilet whose general use has begun on January 20th.

hallway